Graham Greene, Oscar-Nominated Actor from Dances With Wolves, Dies at 73
Graham Greene, Acclaimed Actor and ‘Dances With Wolves’ Star, Dies at 73
Graham Greene, the celebrated Indigenous Canadian actor best known for his Oscar-nominated performance as Kicking Bird in Dances With Wolves, has died at the age of 73 following a long illness.
The revered actor passed away peacefully in a Toronto hospital on Monday. Known for his integrity, talent, and trailblazing contributions to cinema, Greene’s passing has left a profound void in the film and Indigenous communities.
“He was a great man of morals, ethics, and character and will be eternally missed. You are finally free,” a statement read, also referencing Greene’s longtime agent, Susan Smith, who passed away in 2013: “Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven.”
Greene, a member of the Oneida First Nation, was born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario. Before entering the world of acting, he worked as a welder, draftsman, and steelworker. His screen career began with a television appearance in The Great Detective in 1979, followed by his film debut in 1983’s Running Brave.
He rose to international prominence with his portrayal of the wise and dignified Sioux medicine man Kicking Bird in Kevin Costner’s 1990 epic Dances With Wolves. The role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and brought renewed attention to Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
In interviews, Greene spoke candidly—and often humorously—about the challenges of filming the movie, including being thrown from a horse and struggling to learn Lakota. “I couldn’t figure out how they ordered their language,” he once said. “Its structure is totally foreign to English or French.”
Greene later poked fun at his iconic role during a guest appearance on the Canadian comedy The Red Green Show, joking: “The native guy [Kicking Bird] was OK. Should have gotten the Oscar. But the rest of it was a yawn!”
Beyond Dances With Wolves, Greene had a prolific career spanning film, television, and theatre. In 1999, he delivered a memorable performance as Arlen Bitterbuck in The Green Mile, appearing alongside Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan. His character, a Native American man on death row, was convicted in a bar fight turned deadly—one of many nuanced roles Greene portrayed throughout his career.
Greene married actress Hillary Blackmore in 1990. The couple shared four children. A dedicated family man and cultural advocate, Greene leaves behind a legacy of powerful performances and groundbreaking work that opened doors for Indigenous actors in mainstream media.
